By Gaylen Duskey
realfang@citlink.net
WALTON - Alex Ashley hit a three-point goal with less than a minute left to lift Walton to a come-from-behind 38-35 victory over Calhoun Middle School in the first round of the Central West Virginia Athletic Conference (CWVAC) tournament Tuesday night.
Ashley, who has been a bane to the existence of the Red Devils this year, had a game high 22 points, including 16 in the second half when he was able to score seemingly at will. And this was despite very close Calhoun defense.
This season Ashley scored 56 points in three games against CMS -- all Walton wins.
Calhoun grabbed an early lead and seemed en route to score a runaway against the Tigers only to have the offense flatten a bit while Walton's offense heated up.
The Red Devils were on top 13-3 after one quarter and still led 20-15 at halftime.
Walton bounced back and went on top 30-28 at the end of three quarters as Ashley scored 10 of the Tigers points in that period.
Calhoun did, however, manage to tie things up and took a slim lead into the final second of the game only to have Ashley nail his three-point shot. Calhoun got the ball back but was unable to get a shot off as the Tigers knocked it away as the final buzzer sounded.
Calhoun, which finished with a 9-7 record, was led by Tyler Sims with 15 points while Tyler Gerwig scored 13 and hauled down a game high 17 rebounds. Tyler Tanner had eight points, including four of seven free throws, to round out the Calhoun scoring. Sam Brady, Lucas Wilson and Kirkland Allen all played but did not score for the Red Devils.
Although it may have seemed as if Ashley was a one-man team for the 8-7 Tigers he was not. Alex Pavalok added 10 while Kaleb Greathouse came off the bench to hit a three-point field goal.
With the win Walton advances to the CWVAC semifinals Friday night at Braxton County. Calhoun's season is over.
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